Chocolate-covered strawberries are the top Valentine's Day treat. These Strawberry Cream Bars are much easier than dipping strawberries, though.
Last week, I asked everyone on Facebook what the first thing they think of when they think of Valentine's Day desserts is. Almost everyone said chocolate-covered strawberries!
I was planning on making some cute cupcakes with those flavors, but then I ran out of time for that. Lucky for all of you chocolate and strawberry lovers, I already had made this pan of Strawberry Fudge Magic Bars. I know it isn't quite the same or as fancy, but the taste is out of this world.
I love how you can throw a bunch of ingredients into a pan and cover it with sweetened condensed milk, and when it comes out of the oven, something magical happens to it. Think unicorns and fairies—yup, just as magical as those.
The milk seeps into all the parts of the bars, and they become this delicious, gooey bar that you just can't resist. I say can't resist because...well, I kept sneaking little bites of these until I finally sent a box over to the church and threw the last couple of bites into the garbage.
Does anyone else do that at times, too? Not send the goodies away, but throw away the rest and then cover it with coffee grounds or dust or something like that?
Let's talk Valentine's Day for a minute. Do you have big plans?
We usually don't do anything big or special for the day. I think it is more important to show love and affection throughout the entire year instead of focusing on one day. But this year, we are actually going out on a hot date.
There is a mall about an hour away from us that is called the "fashion mall." We went there once and walked around. Let's say they call it the fashion mall because it is every high-end store you can think of...we felt a little out of place walking around in our jeans. The few people we did see were dressed up in business suits and heels. It's safe to say we stood out! A lot!!
So, we will get all dressed up and walk around the mall, act all snooty, and talk with British accents. It's going to be a blast! Then we are headed to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner and, of course, cheesecake.
Recipe
Strawberry Fudge Magic Bars
Chocolate covered strawberry cake bars...the best Valentine's magic bars.
Ingredients
- 1 Strawberry cake mix
- 8 Tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup strawberry ice cream topping
- ½ cup hot fudge topping
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 2 cups Oreo cookie chunks
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup snowcap candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix and butter until crumbly. Add the egg and vanilla and mix completely. The dough will be very thick. Press into the bottom of greased pan.
- Spread the fudge topping over the cake mix dough. Sprinkle with the marshmallows, chocolate chips, and cookie chunks.
- Drizzle the strawberry topping over the top. Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk over everything. Sprinkle with the snowcap candies.
- Bake for 35-38 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before trying to cut into squares.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 149mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Here are a few more Valentine's Day desserts that we love:
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
Ohmygoodness, so glad someone else admits to throwing away the last bit of treats because they can't.quit.eating.them. I know I wouldn't be able to stop eating these strawberry fudge magic bars!! I hope you guys had a GREAT time on your hot date tonight--saw your pics on Instagram and you are both the cutest! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Ashley. We really did have a great date night! And I am glad to know someone else throws stuff away too!
DeDe@DesignedDecor
I love magic bars, I think they would be even better with your recipe. This look so yummy!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Strawberries and chocolate are such an amazing combo in the first place and then you made them all gooey?! Perfect!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Gooey desserts are truly the best desserts! Thanks Becca!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
This looks tempting! Love the adorable wreath in the back 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
These were extremely tempting...as in I couldn't stop eating them! I wish I could remember where I got the wreath...maybe Target a few years ago?
Karly
Will you marry me?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hahahaha! I heart you Karly! You are seriously the best! So, I think that might be a yes 🙂
Tanya Schroeder
Forget the chocolate covered strawberries, gimme these! Love the pink bottom and all that goodness on top! Fantastic Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I like the way you think Tanya!!! Who needs fruit when you can have gooey bars of goodness!!!
Rachel Cooks
These look sooooo gooey and delicious. Love it!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks, Rachel. The gooeyness was incredible!!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
These look so fun girlfriend! I've only made the "traditional" magic bar recipe, I guess it's time I experiment a little bit, yes??
Jocelyn Brubaker
I do believe you need to start some magic bar experimentation...maybe that can be our next same day post???
Kristy
Umm, wow! It's all I can say about these beauties....look FAN-TAS-TIC!
See you this weekend:)
Jocelyn Brubaker
I like to hear Wow! 🙂 It works!!!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking
i love chocolate and strawberries but not a big fan of chocolate covered strawberries so I'm glad you ran out of time and instead you shared the recipe for these magic bars. Beautiful and delicious Jocelyn
Jocelyn Brubaker
These are the perfect choice for those that like the flavor without the fruit! Running out of time worked out well for me this time 🙂
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
OMG, Jocelyn! These magic bars are beyond awesome. I LOVE strawberry cake mix -- does it get any better than a strawberry cake?! --but the fact that you made these almost like a strawberry hot fudge sundae is even better. And I love that you used those snowcaps!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I just knew you would appreciate these magic bars since you are the queen of magic bars! I like that you call them strawberry hot fudge bars!!! So yummy!
Carole @ The Sweet Chick
That is a whole lotta yummy packed into one treat. I never made magic bars, so I will add this to my list of recipes to try.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh my girl! Definitely add magic bars to the top of the list...they are incredible!!!
ashley - baker by nature
OMG, these do look like magic!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Magic in every single bite...I promise 🙂
Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations
I didn't know there was a Berry Oreo flavor available in America. Is it new? Here in Asia we have actual strawberry flavored Oreos. I love those. And your bars look soo fudgy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
The Berry Oreos have been around for a few years...it is just the filling though. Are your actual cookies strawberry flavored? Those sound great!!!
Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations
Yeah, they are actually strawberry flavored. Very addicting!
I used them in this fridge cake recently http://specialtycakecreations.com/strawberry-oreo-white-chocolate-fridge-cake/
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
These bars look perfect for Valentines day! Sounds like you will have a fun date night! All of my family is British so I always here people doing accents and I love it! I bet you do a good one 😉 Just make sure to say "Bloooody Ell Luv"! That phrase is always used in my house 🙂 This is the first year I am not working Valentines night so it will be a different year for me too- celebrating on the day!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks for the accent and phrase tip...I am totally going to use it 🙂 Yay for not working on Valentine's Day so you can celebrate! Have a great day!
Alyssa
These bars look wonderful! I love magic bars and I really like chocolate covered strawberries, so the combination of those things must be fantastic! I hope you have a great Valentine's date! My in-laws are babysitting so we are going to out to dinner on Saturday night.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Sounds like you will be having a great date as well. Have fun Alyssa!!!
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry
Your date night sounds like so much fun! I have big planes of watching the Hallmark Channel while eating a pint of Ben and Jerrys. Not gonna lie, I am kind of excited. These bar look to good to be true! Condensed milk is a god send when it comes to baked goods.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Your plans sound like fun too!!! I agree, condensed milk is the best in baked goods!!!
Brenda @ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com
Your date sounds awesome!! Have FUN!! 🙂 Enjoy a raspberry lemonade for me (I sometimes want to go to Cheesecake Factory just for that sippable yumminess! ;))
Thanks for this "magic" recipe! Looks delightful! Pinned 😉
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I'm jealous of your date! I'll be hoping my husband gets home from his business trip in time to pick my flowers up from the florist (his sister), lol. 🙂 These bars are SO good! Magic bars rock. We should all do magic bar week. 🙂
Emily ~So Domesticated~
These look like all sorts of yumminess!
No plans for us on Valentine's Day, so far : )
Hope you have a fabulous time on your date!